Manning Likes Hakeem Nicks

Like a kid with a new toy, Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning is thrilled about his newly drafted wide receiver, Hakeem Nicks, taken in the first round out of North Carolina.  I found this little tidbit in, of all places, the Los Angeles Times.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning isn’t telling just anybody how happy he is with his newest receiver, he’s telling his father.  “When I asked Eli how is his new receiver, he said, ‘Dad, he catches everything,’ ” said Archie Manning, referring to first-round rookie Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina. The elder Manning was quick to add: “I’m not putting [Nicks] up for a Pro Bowl. I’m just saying he’s off to a good start and they’re working hard.”  Nicks is competing for playing time at third receiver with Mario Manningham and Sinorice Moss. The starters look to be Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon.

Well, two things struck me here.  One, that Manning and Nicks already have a bit of chemistry.  Let’s face it, Nicks was the big man drafted to replace Plaxico Burress and if he has the backing of Manning and the hands to grab anything out of the air, he’s going to command double teams…maybe not right away, but soon enough. 

The other thing that struck me is that they are listing Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon as the #1 and #2 receivers, with Nicks competing with Mario Manningham and Sinorice Moss beyond that.  Are you kidding me?  I guess with Plax and Toomer gone, that would be the pecking order, but I think Nicks will climb high fast.  I love Smith as the slot and third-down guy, but I guess we have to see what he can do as a featured receiver too.

Tags: Amani Toomer, Archie Manning, Domenik Hixon, Eli Manning, Giants receivers, Hakeem Nicks, LA Times, Mario Manningham, Plaxico Burress, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith